The Effect Of Early Mother-infant Skin-to-skin Contact On Neonates' Temperature, Behavior State And Breastfeeding Status

Background: After birth neonates undergo low temperature, change of behavior state and breastfeeding problems. Some research proved that early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact can increased neonates' body temperature. There is little research on early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact in China, moreover, there is no research about the effect of early mother infant skin-to-skin contact on infants' behavior state and breastfeeding in China. Therefore, it is necessary to do the research about early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact in China. Objective: To compare the effect of early mother infant skin-to-skin contact on neonates' temperature, behavior state and breastfeeding with a control group receiving standard care. Methods: A randomized control trial was employed. Fifty-two healthy neonates born in a tertiary hospital in Beijng were enrolled in the study immediately after birth, and were randomizedly divided into two groups—intervention group(n=25) and control group(n=25). The intervention group received one hour early mother infant skin-to-skin contact care after standard nursing care after birth, the control group received only standard nursing care. The intervention group's body temperature was measured before intervention, after intervention, two hours after birth and four hours after birth, the control group's temperature was measured at the same time. The behavior state of the intervention group was observed and their crying was recorded by Mp3 player for one hours during skin-to-skin contact and four hours after birth respectively, the control group was done the same observation and records during the same period of time. The intervention group's mothers were interviewed after intervention. The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was used to measure success of first breastfeeding. The breastfeeding status on forty-second day was measured by questionnaire designed by author through telephone call.Results: A total 50 neonates were measured and observed in the study. The intervention group, compared to control group, had higher temperature after intervention, two hours and four hours after birth (36.61±0.44 vs 35.62±0.56), (36.59±0.40 vs 35.89±0.47), (36.58±0.30 vs 36.18±0.42), there were statistically significant difference between groups(P<0.01). The intervention group cried significantly less than control groupduring one hour of skin-to skin contact and after four hours of birth(P<0.01), with the median(0 vs 8, 0 vs14). And the intervention group was quieter than control group during two periods of time. In intervention group, 24 out of 25(96%) had a successful first breastfeeding compared to 13 out of 25 in control group. The difference in success rate were statistically significant(P<0.01). Fourteen out of 24 babies in intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding at 42 days compared to 13 out of 25 in control group. The difference in breastfeeding rate on 42 day was not statistically significant(F=0.199, P=0.656).Conclusion: Early mother-infant skin-to-skin contact is an effective way to keep neonates warm after birth, and can reduce newborns crying and calm them after birth and four hour after birth. It can also enhance the successful first breastfeeding during the early postpartum period.